Tonight, listening to a few songs, I was reminded of the unexpected pleasure that was the Magic Numbers bursting into a glorious cover of Neil Young’s Cowgirl in the Sand when I saw them recently at Tapestry Goes West at Shenley Park.
There’s been a few times recently, including this one, where I’ve been impressed by unexpected covers – Muse doing Where the Streets Have No Name with The Edge at Glastonbury the most memorable other example. The Magic Numbers’ in particular though was brilliant. It was faithful to the original, but still drenched in a whole heap of Magic Numbers greatness.
It made a top set all the more fantastic.
There are loads of famous covers by established artists – Thom Yorke often offers excellent Neil Young song renditions - and I’ve just found this excellent version of Tell Me Why, tagged on to the end of Radiohead’s own Faust Arp.
I do love getting to see covers at gig. They’re regularly top moments in music.
Each Glastonbury I go to, I try and see at least one band that I’ve not heard of before. This year, that honour fell to the Avett Brothers.
Avett Brothers on the Avalon stage at Glastonbury 2010
I’d already eyed them up in the programme after they were described as a “folk rolk band from North Carolina who combine bluegrass, punk and pop, and have become hugely popular and critically acclaimed in the US.” How hadn’t I heard of them? This wasn’t the only recommendation I’d get to go and see them as Greg, a friend of Sunit who I went to Glastonbury with, also gave them a glowing recommendation. It had to be done.
I made by way to the Avalon field after catching half of Ellen and Escapades’ underwhelming set in the Acoustic field. I managed the catch the end of the Wurzels – the MC announced I’d missed a “proper Glastonbury moment”. The Avett Brothers had a tough act to follow.
They didn’t disappoint.
In the hour-ish set that followed, the decent sized crowd were treated to a cracking set of up tempo folksy numbers. The band were very polished. I thought the cellist – who I gather is only part of the ranks when they take to touring – was particularly good.
Two stand out tracks for me were ‘I and Love and You‘, from their recent album of which this is the title track, and ‘Murder in the City’, from Second Gleam, which nearly had me in tears.
I wish I was more familiar with the rest of the material so I could remember what some of the other outstanding tunes were – but at least I’ve got a great excuse (as if I needed one!) to check out the back catalogue and enjoy the songs all over again.
Long time no speak, loyal reader! I’ve been a tad busy at work since my return to the real world after another fantastic Glastonbury – definitely my second favourite so far – so they’ll be a deluge of Glastonbury-related posts to come in coming weeks.
I’ll kick off my recollections of this year’s monumental Glastonbury by mentioning Muse. This was their second stint on the Pyramid Stage following their debut headlining set in 2004.
Muse on the Pyramid Stage
Now, I’m going to be honest: I think they were better first time around. But that doesn’t mean this was a rubbish performance. Far from it in fact – they had the crowd in the palm of their hands for most of their set. However, I think they played two too many album tracks off their recent albums, sacrificing popular hits on albums gone by such as Bliss and Butterflies and Hurricanes in favour of unspectacular tracks like Guiding Light.
Despite one or two filler songs, Muse’s set will stay with me for two main reasons. Firstly, for their cover of Where the Streets Have No Name, during which The Edge of U2 fame played on in his signature style. And secondly, for the memory of one of the chaps near me – an Aussie, named Stuart, making two or three kids lives by hoisting them up on his shoulders so they could see the gig. They were all massive Muse fans, and that moment will no doubt live with them forever.
That’s one of the joyous powers of music. It can soundtrack memories for lifetimes.
This week’s moment in music is one that recurs for me quite often. Whether it’s REM, The National, U2 or Radiohead, going back and discovering a band’s back catalogue when you’re late on the bandwagon can be very rewarding.
Take the National for example. Contrary to seemingly popular opinion, their breakthrough album Alligator was actually their third.
I’m currently listening to their eponymous debut album, and while it’s certainly a very different proposition to their later work, on first (and partial) listen, it certainly holds it’s own! Matt Berninger’s authoritative baritone is still there, but their music is far more relaxed.
I’m always discovering new bands well into their career. Another recent example is Teenage Fanclub – I’d always avoided them as their names sounds a lot like a heavy-metal tribute act, however, imagine my surprise on finding out Baby Lee – a very catchy little number – was actually from their tenth studio album, Shadows.
One thing I like about being an avid devourer of music is anticipating new releases.
Two bands’ efforts I’m really looking forward to that are coming out soon are I Am Kloot and Arcade Fire.
I Am Kloot, for those of you that aren’t in the know, are a delightful three piece from Manchester. They play songs mainly about love.. and disaster. Their latest effort, Sky At Night, is being unleashed unto the world on 5th July. You can get a sneak peak at a few of the tracks by having a look at this excellent video, filmed in Germany last year. 5th July can’t come soon enough.
Arcade Fire’s new album, The Suburbs, will be hot on Sky At Night’s heels at the start of August. As you may have heard, two of their new songs have made it on to the airwaves this week. In contrast to the blog I’ve just linked to, I’m liking what I’m hearing – particularly Month of May. This’ll be an important third album for the Canandian wonders, but I’m confident it’ll meet expectations and be another cracking listen.
Are you looking forward to any upcoming releases? If so, do tell!
I had a particularly fruitful radio-listening session last week, listening to Marc Riley’s show one weeknight. His is a show I listen to rarely, but when I do tune in, I always remember why I like it. Beautiful playlist and insightful anecdotes.
Anyway, on to the subject of the of the post. Tim and Sam’s Tim and Sam Band released their debut album, Life Stream, last week. Marc played a track on his show and I just had to buy it. A few days after I’d ordered it, I got the album through the post. Not only did I get the album, I got a rather nice compliments slip with a personal thank you and a tea bag from, presumably, the aforementioned Tim. Which was nice.
Now, why is this is a moment in music? Because for me, it’s rare I find out about new music via the medium of the radio. So, when I do get to hear of a band in this way, like Tim and Sam, it’s a moment to cherish.
Now I just need to give the album a spin!
Have you found an artist you like via radio recently?
Ah, it’s nice having something to look forward to.
The Glastonbury lineup has been announced – and while there’s not that many acts that take my fancy that I’ve not seen before, it’s still a stellar lineup.
U2, Muse, Stevie Wonder, Flaming Lips, Gomez, I Am Kloot, Frightened Rabbit, Grizzly Bear, The Bees, Magic Numbers and Mumford and Sons are all there, to name but a few. As always, it looks like there’s going to be quite a few clashes, but there’s never a dull moment in the hallowed fields of Avalon.
Are you off to Glastonbury this year? If so, who are you looking forward to?
Now for the checklist. Item #1: I need a new tent.
It’s a fine album, decorated with jewels like Sleepflower, La Tristesse Durerra and Roses in the Hospital. Rediscovering it after at least a three year hiatus was a joy to behold.
It’s always great to find a long lost friend in this way, and it’s a joy I don’t get to recreate too often. Next weekend I’ll have to thumb through the record collection – ok, scan up and down the cd towers – to see what else I haven’t listened to for a while.
Last night was the second gig in the space of a week for me. Both at Koko, both with excellent company. This one certainly topped last week’s Wild Beasts.
We got in the venue around 8pm and managed to catch the last couple of songs of Hjaltalín’s set – they deserve a mention for two reasons. Firstly, they had an ace female vocalist. She might have been playing an instrument too, but I wasn’t watching the stage at that point. I did glance in it’s direction to notice their second selling point: they has a bassoon in the band. Ace! And thirdly (yes, I know I only promised you two reasons) they’re only the second band I know that herald from Iceland.
Second warm up act was Airship. They were good. I’ll be listening out for their debut single. They’re well worth checking out.
Of course these were mere appetisers for the main course, Frighened Rabbit, who I last saw in November. The main course didn’t disappoint.
Bolstered by their fifth member, Gordon, they played a set lasting about 70 minutes. There’s no denying my favourite moments came when they played songs from their second album, Midnight Organ Fight. Poke and Keep Yourself Warm were particular highlights.
What’s tragic is their new album, The Winter of Mixed Drinks, only reached number 61 in the album charts. You deserve to hear this. Go on, give their sales figures a boost and pick yourself up a copy. You won’t be disappointed.
Their latest album is a slightly more optimistic affair than previous efforts. Musically, it’s full of marvelous guitar lines and sensational drumming. Whatever your preference, there’s something in it for you.
Sadly I don’t have any more gigs lined up till Glastonbury. I’ll have to get that sorted out soon..
So, yesterday was a pretty big moment for radio in the UK. The BBC announced plans to cull 6 Music, one of their digital only radio stations that suits my and numerous other music lovers musical, radio-based needs down to a tee.
It’s not just me who listens to it. There’s over 695,000 of us listeners up and down the country and across the world.
If like me, you can’t bear to be without the wonders of Stuart Maconie’s Freak Zone, Guy Garvey’s Finest Hour and Marc Riley’s excellent show, you know what you need to do. Let the BBC Trust know how you feel.
So, yesterday was a pretty big moment for radio in the UK. The
All about moving moments in music.